Official Research, Development, and Extension Magazine

Vol. 11 No.1
of the University of the Philippines Los Baños December 2019

The Questions Issue

About
About the the
cover Cover EDITORIAL NOTE

It’s a natural thing to be curious. Why are things like These questions led to research, to discoveries, to new
this? What made this event happen? How was this technologies, and new insights on how we can make
made? These are just a few of the many questions the world a better place to live in.
people ask themselves everyday.
The cover of this issue shows a big question mark In a rapidly changing world marked with technological progress, UPLB strives to live up to its mandate
In today’s day and age where information is easily super-imposed on an illustration of the globe. It is a as a national university while broadening its reach to meet the growing needs for innovative and
accessible, it has become natural for us to seek the symbol of the impact of questions. sustainable solutions to pressing national problems.
answers to questions we have.
This issue is all about questions, and it is a celebration By asking the right questions, this fifth issue of the RDE Digest familiarizes us with UPLB’s ongoing
But the fact that there is information available doesn’t of curiosity and the desire to learn more. There are effort to level up its production of research output and extension services that are relevant to the
mean that all information is already known. That is many more questions we have yet to ask. And there country’s development.
why it is still encouraged to keep asking questions and are many more questions left unanswered. But this
to keep being curious. After all, most of the things we does not mean we have to stop. Examine UPLB’s unique position as a research university and its potential capacity to be a knowledge
know now were discovered by people who asked the broker and innovation hub in Industry 4.0. Read about two UPLB researchers who chose to protect
right questions. We have, in our power, the capability to ask questions their intellectual property and the paths that opened which made their technologies accessible.
and to continue the journey for knowledge, truth, and
Why did the apple fall from the tree? How can we see development. Learn how UPLB is contributing to sustainable development through the establishment of
in the dark? How can we make transportation easier, interdisciplinary centers. And finally, take a closer look at CINTERLabs, a research unit composed of
faster, and more affordable? individuals from different disciplines who are coming together to pursue computational research.

Through these articles, we hope readers can delve into UPLB’s continuing work in research. We
encourage everyone to ask questions, and hopefully contribute your own thoughts as the RDE Digest
accepts contributions year-round.

Editorial Board Do you have any

reactions, comments,
managing editor
or suggestions? The Editorial Team
Maria Rowena Beatriz Q. Inzon
writers/contributors/photographers Are you interested to
layout
Regina Mae C. Ongkiko Daniel Dave J. Batayo write for us? Do you have
Florante A. Cruz a story to share?
production/circulation Lawrence N. Garcia
Jose Elmo H. Azores Maria Rowena Beatriz Q. Inzon
Alex C. Genil Vandolph R. Maningas Turn to the last page and
Reynaldo T. Magsino Regina Mae C. Ongkiko see how you can
Ana Margarita S. Palma
editorial consultant
Adrianne G. San Miguel
be a contributor.
Assistant to the Vice Chancellor
Glenn S. Lubuguin

advisers
Vice Chancellor Rex B. Demafelis
Assistant to the Vice Chancellor
Glenn S. Lubuguin
 TECHNOLOGY

QUESTIONS
WHAT'S
WITH ALL OF
THESE CENTERS?
PAGE 2

WHAT IS
UPLB'S ROLE
IN INDUSTRY 4.0?
PAGE 10

WHY
PROTECT YOUR
INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY?
PAGE 18

CAN WE
PREDICT THE FUTURE
OF COMPUTATIONAL
RESEARCH?
PAGE 26

FEATURED TECHNOLOGY PAGE 1

Hydroponics-based Forage Production System

LIFE HACKS
How to avoid predatory journals PAGE 34
and conferences
RDE DIGEST 1
 What’s
with all of
these centers?
BY MARIA ROWENA BEATRIZ Q. INZON

It has been five years since the

concept of UPLB Interdisciplinary
Studies Centers (IdSCs) were
presented during ExSciTe, UPLB’s
S&T Forum and Exhibit, at the SMX
Convention Center.

2 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 3

 way of addressing complex and compelling issues of
the times.

Complementation, collaboration, and synergy among

expertise from various fields became the new mantra
of research in UPLB.

At the (Four)front

From a series of continuous strategic planning that

started in 2008, the past administration of Chancellor
Cruz crafted the Integrated RDE Framework
which identified the four priority growth areas
for collaborative work namely, food and nutrition
security and safety, integrated natural resources and
environmental management, climate change and
human aggravated natural disasters, and energy
systems.

And although fourteen (14) other new centers and

programs were also conceptualized, four ‘virtual’
centers are considered UPLB’s pioneer IdSCs.

The Interdisciplinary Studies Center on Food and

Nutrition Security (ISC-FaNS) serves as a platform for
continuing education and research on the challenges
confronting the country’s food security.
▲From left to right: former UPLB Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr.
Maria Victoria O. Espaldon, former UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, former DOST Climate and Disaster Risk Studies Center (CDRSC)
Secretary Mario G. Montejo, former UPLB Chancellor Rex Victor O. Cruz, and spearheads the provision of science-based knowledge,
DA-BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar during the opening ceremony of the UPLB PHOTO BY DJ BATAYO information, and expertise related to building climate
Science & Technology Exhibit in 2014. resilience.

I
t has been five years since the concept of UPLB multidisciplinarity in the sense that it is not simply Complementing CDRSC is the Interdisciplinary
Interdisciplinary Studies Centers (IdSCs) were adding multiple perspectives and disciplines to the Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resource and
presented during ExSciTe, UPLB’s S&T Forum mix. Environment Management (INREM) which espouses
and Exhibit, at the SMX Convention Center. the interconnectedness of ecosystems and human
Rather, interdisciplinarity analyzes, synthesizes sustainability putting forward a systemic and holistic
Considered a milestone for UPLB, the event and harmonizes links between disciplines into a approach to problem analysis and solving.
showcased the various S&T undertakings of the coordinated and coherent whole (Choi and Pak,
university and its role and contributions to sustainable 2006) while transdisciplinarity moves beyond the For sustainable energy development and the conduct
development and laid the groundwork for the IdSCs bridging of divides within academia to engaging of studies on feedstock production, utilization and
as a new strategy in providing optimum impact in the directly with the production and use of knowledge commercialization, the Interdisciplinary Biofuels
national development. outside of the academy (Toomey, 2015). Research and Studies Center (IBRSC) is the lead
center.
Five years since, the question still lingers: what are the A brainchild of then Chancellor Rex Victor O.
IdSCs? Cruz, the IdSCs ushered in a new period of scientific All four Centers were tasked to extensively contribute
research in the university from the traditional research to responsive national development and were provided
Current literature explains that inter- and trans- rooted in a single discipline to one that involves PhP1.0M in-house seed fund which they were able
disciplinarity should not be confused with multiple disciplines and institutions as a more effective to use for their operations specifically in setting
RDE agenda, proposing numerous projects and
CHOI B.C. AND A.W. PAK. 2006. MULTIDISCIPLINARITY, INTERDISCIPLINARITY AND TRANSDISCIPLINARITY IN HEALTH RESEARCH, SERVICES, EDUCATION AND POLICY. CLINICAL AND INVESTIGATIVE MEDICINE. VOL. 29. ISSUE NO. 6.
1

programs for more external funding, and pursuing

4 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 5
 local and international linkages to strengthen their The MS in Food Control System and MS in Climate, New IdSCs National Scientific Conference on Water, the first of
interdisciplinary studies. Environment, and Society degrees are being crafted by its kind in the country.
ISCFaNS and CDRSC, respectively while the MS in Under the current administration of Chancellor
Today, these IdSCs are conducting various researches Food Security and Climate Change is being conceived Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., three new Centers were Meanwhile, the LCA Lab has already started providing
that adds up to around PhP 500M with substantially as a joint undertaking among UPLB and four other created to provide more science- and technology-based technical and advisory services for process and product
more researches in the pipeline for potential funding. University Consortium members, which is a network solutions to contemporary social dilemma: the Water development and improvement, strategic planning,
of Southeast Asian universities that share academic Center, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Laboratory, policy recommendations, and carbon labelling and
These four IDSCs have also organized at least 8 expertise and resources. and the Center for Biosensors for One Health. certification for different government agencies, such
local and international conferences and forged new as the Department of Agriculture, Department of
partnerships and collaborations with other public and In terms of publications, the IBRSC recently In response to the water security challenges of our Energy, and Sugar Regulatory Administration.
private institutions. published a Biofuels Special Issue for the Philippine country, UPLB formalized the establishment of the
Journal of Crop Science which contained 11 original Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Water in 2017. The LCA Lab is also a member of the Water Footprint
research articles on feed stocks and industrially Network and plans to conduct a training on life
What lies ahead for these IdSCs? relevant technologies for biofuels production. It is envisioned to be a center of excellence in research, cycle assessment for researchers, experts, and even
development, and extension in water safety and in government agencies.
While the last five years may well be considered Meanwhile, INREM had just conducted their 2nd reforms for the efficient, equitable, and sustainable
a continuing period of birth pains, these IdSCs International Conference, this time focusing on management of water resources. Likewise, the Interdisciplinary Studies Center on
continue to make strides. Currently, the Centers strengthening local governance for a sustainable Biosensors for One Health has started pursuing
are pursuing the offering of new graduate studies integrated natural resources and environment The Water Center is already involved in several an RDE agenda on human-animal-environment
programs. management. researches and more importantly, has spearheaded the intersection and has produced biosensing devices,

6 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 7

 assays, and protocols validated in real-world samples from agriculture by-products which have improved
for specific applications. The center is also focusing on agricultural productivity in the country the last few
student and staff training and mentorships. years.

Other ‘inter-actions’ Other patent applications and potentially

commercializable products have already been
But the IdSCs may well be part of a bigger trend as produced (see backstory RDE Digest Vol.10 No.1)
the new mantra of complementation, collaboration under the program while a NanoScience and
and synergy are also forging new programs around Technology Facility is projected to be established to
UPLB. further the program’s accomplishments.

Take our Nanotechnology Program. Considered as Just like the Nanotechnology program, the Robotics
one of the emerging technology breakthroughs of and Instrumentation Studies Center (RISC)
Industry 4.0, nanotechnology is expected to play a and Computational Interdisciplinary Research
big role in the development of various industries as it Laboratories (CINTERLabs) are currently facilitating
optimizes materials by altering its properties, making greater collaboration in research work in robotics
it stronger, lighter, and more flexible. and automation, data science, computational arts
and sciences and its applications in agriculture and
And UPLB is considered the singular academic environmental monitoring. Their establishment has
institution investing in nanotechnology as enhanced UPLB’s research capacity and productivity
its NanoTech program provides support to at par with our neighboring Asian universities.
nanotechnology research and innovation in
agriculture, food, and forest products sectors. From the flora of Mount Makiling, UPLB’s Natural
Products and Development Program (NatProd) has Through the NatProd, endemic species with known So, what’s with all these Centers?
Many of the collaborative research under this also bolstered UPLB’s contributions to the health traditional and/or medicinal uses or those with
program have resulted to breakthrough technologies sciences, specifically in the national initiative for drug biologically active compounds for the prevention Each center employs experts from different units
like nanosensors and nanostructured materials discovery and development. and treatment of various diseases have already been and colleges in UPLB. They work with government
identified and the program has prioritized research on agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to respond to
the use of these species on colorectal cancer (Ca) and the needs of the people, because addressing complex
cardiovascular disease (CVD). problems in society requires different perspectives.

The UPLB Bee Program’s technology on using native Right now, preparations for institutionalization
stingless bees for pollination as a farming system are yet on its way, but UPLB cannot wait for these
component is now being adopted nationwide in Centers to grow. These early, these Centers are already
the production of high value crops such as mango, a testament to UPLB’s sustained commitment to the
lansones, and rambutan. development of the country. ■

The program is also actively involved in the

formulation of the Philippine National Standard
for Honey, Philippine National Standards Code
for Best Beekeeping Practices, and Philippine
National Standard for Production of Organic Honey.
Consequently, the program was also the recipient of
the 2019 Gawad Pangulo Award for Excellence in
Public Service.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE RDE DIGEST
Another re-established Center is the Interdisciplinary
Studies Center on Organic Agriculture which is tasked Do you want to share your experience working as part of
to provide scientific and evidence-based backbone to an interdisciplinary studies center?
▲The participants and steering committee at the recently concluded 2nd organic agriculture policies, standards, and regulations We accept stories year round.
International Conference on Integrated Natural Resources and Environment for the country. Email us at ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.
Management last 20-22 November 2019 at the Philippine International
Convention Center, Manila. PHOTO BY VR MANINGAS

8 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 9

 What is
UPLB’s role in Will machines replace my job?

Industry 4.0?
Are scenarios in sci-fi movies now
coming to life?

BY DANIEL DAVE J. BATAYO

10 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 11

 W
e live in an interesting era wherein we The previous Industrial Revolution changed relations of economic productions and The answers are difficult. On the one hand, we
are on the cusp of the third and fourth dynamics of social interactions. can definitely say that AI is capable of “learning
industrial revolution. This revolution, The first Industrial Revolution which occurred abstract concepts, thinking cleverly of strategies,
dubbed as Industry 4.0, is characterized by the between 1760 and 1840 across Europe and the United Industry 4.0 composing flexible plans and make a wide range of
confluence of physical systems and information States can be characterized as the shift from manual logical deductions (Chang, 2019)2.” And yes, AI can
systems through sensors and actuators that enable the production methods to machine production which The fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0 definitely replace humans in performing a number of
creation of smart products, and smart machines that utilized steam and water power. Agriculture, mining, is the time of cyber-physical systems, Internet of jobs.
can learn and improve their processes on their own. textile, and the iron industry were among the fields Things, cloud computing, and cognitive computing.
Also, current developments are influencing the shift of that benefited the most from this period. It is characterized by the widespread use of internet, But on the other hand, these should not be a cause of
industrial economies to knowledge economies driven artificial intelligence (AI), smart sensors, 3D alarm because recent studies made by the World Bank
by technologies that are based on the production and The second Industrial Revolution came in the form technologies, mobile devices, location detection indicate that while there may be a displacement of
dissemination of information and knowledge (Powell of marked increase in railroad networks and the applications and large digital data management. workers, technical innovation compensates by creating
and Snellman, 2004)1. telegraph, electrification of factories, and the modern new industries and jobs.
production line. This is the period between 1870 It is a period of more efficient or deep learning
With the premium placed on information and and 1914 and was also called the “technological machines which can analyze data, execute tasks While AI can essentially do everything that requires
knowledge, there is a compelling need for knowledge- revolution” when people were able to travel further without explicit instructions and by simply relying on thinking, it can only do specific and well-defined
generating institutions like universities to be more and faster and with them their ideas. This led to a patterns and inference from big data. tasks. For example, an AI developed for managing a
proactive in safeguarding their intellectual property great economic growth and increase of productivity. greenhouse farm cannot manage a power plant. AI can
and in their efforts to have these technologies These are wonderful developments but with it only mimic human tasks that are specific. This limits
adopted/applied by the industry. This also reframes The third Industrial Revolution or the “digital provokes a new set of questions: “Will machines AI to perform tasks to which it is programmed to do.
the role of universities as knowledge brokers and revolution” is the period in the late 20th century replace my job? Are scenarios in sci-fi movies now
innovation hubs in their geographical regions. where development of advanced communication coming to life?” A human would have to program an AI to perform
technologies and digital developments radically tasks (for example the management of a power

1
POWELL, W. W., & SNELLMAN, K. (2004). THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY. ANNUAL REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY,30(1), 2004TH SER., 199-220. DOI:10.1146/ANNUREV.SOC.29.010202.100037 CHANG, VALERIE ALEXIS. (2019). WILL AI TAKE OVER THE WORLD?
2

RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://HACKERNOON.COM/WILL-AI-WILL-TAKE-OVER-THE-WORLD-IN-A-NUTSHELL-PART-1-9712646AF32F?FBCLID=IWAR1Z3A2U3-QH26BTRDBSWKQB4WJQKB4UAPV-VAG3PXKGFGQGQ9X4LQPZVB4

12 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 13

 plant) and then let it learn on its own how to best
execute the task. There is still a stark difference
on how humans learn and how machines learn.

But what is certain is that in this reiteration of

Industrial Revolution, information and knowledge
is king. Thus, the impetus for a successful economy
is to identify valuable knowledge and information,
and generate innovation. This places universities
in a unique position as they have a wealth of
information as research institutions and the
potential to be knowledge brokers and innovation
hubs.

However, knowledge and information generated by

the University is not necessarily fit to address the
needs of the industry. It has to be matched to real
industry problems and recalibrated for the public to
benefit.

The challenge for universities is stepping out

of their silos and embracing collaboration and
commercialization with the industry sector to
come up with working solutions that will address
pain points in the society. The university should
also provide an enabling ecosystem for innovation
and entrepreneurship. This would allow university
constituents to have a space to come up with out-
of-the-box solutions without the fear of failure and
its repercussions.

UPLB in Industry 4.0

UPLB is no stranger to research. Over the last TTBDO) furthers that it is easy to claim successes but mass produce in their laboratories. Should we just The Institute of Computer Science working with the
century, we have successfully churned out hundreds what we should be looking for is the impact of those teach the farmers through extension activities how to School of Environment Science and Management, the
of research findings through papers, inventions, successes. produce the biofertilizer on their own? Do they have Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, and
and technologies. UPLB currently has 16 Research the technical capabilities and equipment to do this? Is the Institute of Biology working on a single project,
and Development (R&D) centers with seven of Creating a revolutionary biofertilizer is great but it even correct to push them to be fertilizer producers and a host of other units working together on an
them recognized centers of excellence in research as how many farmers have a better life because of this when all they want to be are to become effective and unprecedented level.
proclaimed by presidential decrees. These centers product? Is it even an appropriate solution to their efficient farmers?
have continuously provided us with invaluable problems? A biofertilizer that can significantly increase However, this collaborative mindset should not be
research information. But what do you do when the rice production of a farmer by two times sounds Fortunately, UPLB has started to work on the answers limited inside UPLB. Collaboration should extend
the majority of our research outputs are shelved in amazing at first but it becomes less impactful when to these questions – innovation and entrepreneurship. to the other key players of society – namely, the
libraries, printed and presented only in academic you realize that current farm gate prices are only at government and the industry sector.
papers, or can’t be transferred through extension PhP 17. A successful nation through collaboration and
activities? innovation The government is a key partner that provides support
We also need to answer the question of how farmers through grants and policies to conduct academic
Prof. Glenn Baticados proposes a fresh perspective, would have access to this product. The researchers Collaboration is a catalyst for innovation. And this is research and the industry sector are valuable partners
“we should shift our focus from our successes to our have no capacity to supply the nation’s demand for more significant in Industry 4.0. Thankfully UPLB in getting our research translated into meaningful
impacts.” Prof. Baticados of the UPLB Technology the product nor do they have a mandate to do so. has already started along this road. A few years ago, products for the public good. This is done through
Transfer and Business Development Office (UPLB Their job is limited to conduct research. They cannot it established 18 Interdisciplinary Studies Centers. a process called commercialization – a polarizing

14 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 15

 term for the constituents of the University of the and work on actual problems. The university then Furthermore, the local enterprise would provide over and over again until they can come up with a
Philippines. conducts research and validates research results with more jobs to the community as they grow thanks to solution that fixes a specific problem of society.
the industry and the end users. The product and our technology. And the university benefits as well
Commercialization is the vehicle for academic technology are refined based on feedback and then through royalties gained from the licensing agreement Embracing Industry 4.0
inventions and technologies to reach their end users, undergoes the process of commercialization through with the local enterprise which could fund further
but it is a term that most people conjure images licensing agreements or spin-offs. research. As UPLB takes the challenge to be a globally
of corruption, competitive graduate and research university with
of multinational The need for In this cycle, the technology we produced transforms Industry 4.0, UPLB TTBDO has developed several
companies grabbing
publicly-funded
A university spin-off is a commercialization
arises because
into an innovation. We say transformed because
technologies and other research outputs cannot be
programs to make this possible.

research for their

own economic gain.
company that was universities like
UPLB has no
called innovation unless they find actual use in society.
Innovation is technology applied.
TTBDO has capacitated and empowered its
Intellectual Property Office to ensure the protection
In reality, we have
checks and balances
founded to leverage on capacity to provide
the supply for the Nurturing the next generation of employers
of all university IP assets while remaining open for
collaborations with the industry sector.
that would prevent
these.
a technology developed demand of the
technologies it With a collaborative mindset and a thirst for At the moment, TTBDO has launched several

Commercialization
inside the university. produces. innovation, it comes as no surprise that UPLB has
started to embed entrepreneurship into its academic
projects that aims to audit university research outputs
and determine which ones can be commercialized
is an essential
process that enables
A spin-off enters a We cannot make it
sustainable on our
programs and endeavors. either through licensing agreements or spin-offs.

universities to
transfer their know-
licensing agreement with own and it is beyond
our mandate of
The value of entrepreneurship is a business mindset
that leverages on innovation to generate value and
The TTBDO also recently launched this year its
Startup Innovation and Business Opportunity
how from the
academic setting
the university. UPLB instruction, research,
and extension. It
create impact by solving social problems. It can be
either through an innovative business model or an
Linkages (SIBOL) program. It is a technology business
incubator program that aims to provide mentoring
to enterprises and
enable them to be
currently has four is also not possible
to channel all our
innovative service/product. and services for startups in the university. It is part of
our efforts to build an Innovation Ecosystem.
successful by being
equipped with state-
spin-offs. research outputs
through extension.
UPLB has started several programs to empower
its faculty, researchers, and students to explore Through the SIBOL program, we hope to encourage
of-the-art products entrepreneurship as a viable career path. UPLB is faculty, researchers, and students to create startups
and services, which in turn would provide the public By empowering a local enterprise with our currently building an Innovation Ecosystem that based on their research outputs. The program offers
access to university-developed technologies. technologies, we are empowering the local economy would enable university constituents to unleash their mentoring from actual entrepreneurs on a variety
because the public would have easier access to the innovative mindsets. of topics, provides access to finance and space for
In a nutshell, this is how it works. Universities technologies we developed. ideation and prototyping in partnership with the
engage with the government and industry to identify We want to plant the idea on each student that they Innovationeering lab at the College of Engineering
can be more than employees once they graduate, and and Agro-Industrial Technology.
that they can actually be employers hiring employees
from the local community. The land has been tilled and the seeds planted.
UPLB is ready to bloom with the next wave of
Entrepreneurship is an answer to the limitations of innovations and entrepreneurs. The university is in a
UPLB’s mandate in transforming its research and unique position to drive economic growth in today’s
technologies into innovations. knowledge economy. ■

We want to create a breeding ground for disruptive

technologies like AirBnB, Facebook, and Grab. We
hope to inspire and provide an enabling environment
for faculties, researchers, and students to develop CONTRIBUTE TO THE RDE DIGEST
technologies that are transformed into innovations.
Do you have opinions or an insight into what’s
We want them to have a space wherein they can test happening to the world nowadays?
▲The UPLB TTBDO organized a two-day mini-hackathon with the participation their craziest ideas without worrying about failing. We accept stories year round.
of AENG/CHE 291 students. It was conducted in the new Ceferino L. Follosco We want them to know that it is okay to fail and start Email us at ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.
Innovationeering Lab in UPLB. PHOTO BY AS PALMA

16 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 17

 Why
protect your
intellectual
property?
BY ANA MARGARITA S. PALMA

18 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 19

 W hy protect your intellectual property?
Conducting research requires time, resources,
and perseverance. But in the end, the search for grant
must be applied with suitable IP protection, usually
with patent or utility model, to avoid IP theft.

or funding opportunities, laboratory experiments, According to the Intellectual Property Office of the
literature reviews, and writing reports and journal Philippines (IPOPHIL), IP has been a recognized
article off-shoots, the meetings in between may all be property right in the Philippines as early as the
worth it since your output would have public use. You Spanish period. In the 1940s, two laws establishing a
find rest and peace of mind knowing that you have patent office and allowing trademark registration were
a meaningful contribution to knowledge and social enacted. Since then, the Philippine government has
action. gradually strengthened the IP system and consolidated
all IP laws under Republic Act 8293 or IP Code in
That is, if no one passes off your work as theirs. 1998, which all IP policies are based on.

Intellectual property as a right As a premier university, UPLB is a breeding ground

of quality research in agriculture, biotechnology,
Any creation of the mind expressed into tangible engineering, plant breeding, forestry, and
assets fall under intellectual property (IP). If you nanotechnology. Most of its research findings are
finish writing a novel or invented a new farming published in reputable journals while some are
technology, that is your IP. But for any research output translated to novel technologies with practical uses,
accomplished using the resources of state universities like biofertilizers, farming equipment, or improved
like UPLB, the IP belongs to the university, although crop varieties.
the researcher still holds a right over it.
While the university wants the public to immediately
Owning an IP gives you legitimate right to use use these technologies, it also has to protect its
it. Unlike literary and artistic works that are resources and personnel from unscrupulous ▲Dr. Mercado experienced filing the patent for her technology and
automatically protected upon creation, technologies organizations and individuals which aim to benefit also licensed it for a private company. PHOTO BY AS PALMA

from already innovative products. Hence, the UPLB She applied for a patent in 1997 because, as she
Technology Transfer and Business Development explained, “everyone was doing it then.” However, her
Office (TTBDO) continues to assist students and application had already expired and so she reapplied in
researchers in protecting their works. Since 2000, 2010 but unfortunately, a lot of necessary documents
TTBDO has filed around 180 IP applications, the were lost in the process. “It was challenging then, but
majority of which are patents and copyrights. perhaps the process is improving now,” Dr. Mercado
said of her experience in filing the patent for her
Improving R&D through licensing technology.

In 2017, 17 UPLB Although the

technologies were Microbial Rennet
able to qualify for The UPLB TTBDO has yet to be
commercialization, granted a patent,
UPLB’s highest continues to assist it is essentially
number of patent protected because
approval since 2000. students & researchers in of the ‘ first-to-
file’ provision of
Dr. Susan Mercado’s protecting their works. the Philippine
Microbial Rennet Intellectual Property
is one of the 17 Code.
technologies.
Dr. Mercado is a researcher from the National While waiting for the IPOPHIL’s decision, Dr.
Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Mercado opted to license Microbial Rennet for a
(BIOTECH) and her technology is a milk coagulant private company called Aust-Phil Food Manufacturing
or rennet substitute used in cheese making. Corporation.
20 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 21
 She met representatives of Aust-Phil in 2012 when “We have a good working relationship and regular
the latter wanted to purchase rennet. At first, Dr. communication. If there are problems, Aust-Phil
Mercado supplied them with small frequent orders of consults me,” Dr. Mercado said. When asked if she
Microbial Rennet but eventually, Aust-Phil wanted to is willing to produce the Microbial Rennet herself,
license the technology so they can produce it in their Dr. Mercado said she considered but decided against
manufacturing plant. it because of the challenges. “I cannot easily produce
rennet. I don’t have manpower. I have limited working
They submitted a Letter of Intent in 2014 to UPLB. space and use defective equipment. I could not
However, it took another three years to finally begin scale up the production. At Aust-Phil, they own a
its commercialization. TTBDO helped Dr. Mercado laboratory.”
with the patent application, negotiations with Aust-
Phil, and by submitting the documents required for After years of seemingly endless meetings and
state-funded technologies before it can be transferred submission of documents, Dr. Mercado is satisfied
to a private company. In 2018, along with the 16 with the state of her technology.
other UPLB technologies, Microbial Rennet was
licensed to Aust-Phil for mass production. “Something came out of my ideas, my years of
research,’’ she said.
Currently, Aust-Phil has a laboratory complete with
equipment to produce Microbial Rennet inside its Researchers as licensees
plant. Dr. Mercado has also trained the company’s
staff in producing the rennet. They had three trial runs Aside from licensing technologies to private
before the production process finally settled. companies, researchers can also commercialize their

▲ Dr. Padilla continues to work even if she is retired—but this time as an entrepreneur. PHOTO BY RC ONGKIKO

own inventions through spin-off. The researcher can the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority. Nutrio is also
either act as a consultant to a spin-off firm or create a one of the 17 technologies that were submitted for
company to market the technology, just like what Dr. commercialization in 2017. But unlike Dr. Mercado,
Virginia Padilla did. Dr. Padilla chose to license her own technology
through a spin-off to continue her commitment in
Dr. Padilla is a recently retired researcher from bringing Nutrio to the public after she retired.
BIOTECH. With the hope of helping farmers, she
developed Nutrio, which is a microbial-based foliar When she received the signed licensing agreement, she
biofertilizer that promotes plant growth and replaces and her husband created a small family corporation
up to 50% of the required chemical fertilizer for called Fulmight Agricultural Corporation to market
eggplant and sugarcane. and distribute Nutrio.

Farmers have also tried it on mahogany, rambutan, However, starting a business proved to be hard for Dr.
lanzones, durian, cucumber, cassava, and palay. Padilla. During TTBDO’s Technology Transfer Day in
November 2018, she recalled her spin-off experience.
Dr. Padilla applied for Nutrio’s patent on 2017 which
is now pending approval. Its trademark has already “It is a long process to spin-off the product for
been granted and the product has been registered with commercialization…I even wondered if this would
PHOTO BY LN GARCIA

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 ever get approved. It was difficult to register in the These days, she is conducting field trials in various Aust-Phil also paid a licensing fee to UPLB, which can Dr. Mercado and Dr. Padilla chose two different paths
Securities and Exchange Commission because of farms to improve Nutrio. The trials have been effective be allocated for new R&D projects in the university. of commercializing their technologies, but both of
the long queue and vague instructions. We had to in promoting her technology to end-users. She In the next few years, they will pay royalties that them delivered the same meaningful contribution to
come back to and fro. After that, we needed to have remains steadfast in her goal, taking one step at a time will be distributed to UPLB, BIOTECH, and Dr. knowledge and social action. And it became possible
barangay clearance, mayor’s permit, and Bureau of to commercialize her technology. Mercado as the inventor. because their intellectual properties are protected. ■
Internal Revenue registration.”
Supporting tech-generating research The money will serve as additional R&D funds
And unlike the laboratory for Microbial Rennet which and as an incentive for Dr. Mercado’s work. And
was built by Aust-Phil, Dr. Padilla had to build one It can be challenging to protect and commercialize a because Microbial Rennet is cheaper than existing
by using her own resources. She asked government technology. Dr. Mercado and Dr. Padilla can attest to milk coagulants, the cheese that Aust-Phil produces
agencies for financial help but they required at least that, but the outcomes of their hard work may all be becomes more affordable to consumers. Indeed,
three years of experience of operation to qualify for a worth it. something came out of her ideas, her years of research.
loan. CONTRIBUTE TO THE RDE DIGEST
For instance, Dr. Mercado’s Microbial Rennet As for Dr. Padilla, we have yet to see the fruits of her
Despite these difficulties, Dr. Padilla is persistent to is licensed for five years by Aust-Phil, a food labor. But her technology is gradually gaining traction What technology do you want to learn more about?
finish what she started, especially with the support manufacturing company who has space and resources in the market as she conducts field trials. As long as Do you want to tell your story?
from UPLB TTBDO, Department of Science and that enabled them to build a laboratory for rennet she maintains her resolve, Nutrio will serve its purpose We accept stories year round.
Technology, and from farmers who are pleased with production. -- to help Filipino farmers and the sugarcane industry. Email us at ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.
the promising results of Nutrio.

PHOTO FROM OVCRE DATABASE

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 Can we
predict the
future of
computational
research?
BY REGINA MAE C. ONGKIKO

26 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 27

 M
odern jargons like ‘robotics,’ ‘drones,’ “While the physical infrastructure was only turned
‘bioinformatics,’ or ‘computational over very recently, we have already been meeting and
research’ are normally associated with working together,” says Prof. Jaime M. Samaniego,
floor-to-ceiling computers, advanced optical wirings, CINTERLabs chair.
boards of complicated mathematical equations, and
vast containers of servers. When hearing these, the Today, an actual laboratory is situated at the fourth
University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) floor of the Physical Sciences Building as a think tank
hardly comes to mind. where students, faculty, and researchers come together
to find creative computational solutions for existing
But of course, times are changing and UPLB and emerging problems.
continues to break barriers. Modest interdisciplinary
research initiatives are now bearing results, one of Computational research as a tool for all industries
which is the CINTERLabs.
CINTERLabs provides services to facilitate
Interdisciplinary collaboration gives birth to innovations and real-life solutions by bringing
computational advances together five core areas.

The Physical Sciences Building at UPLB is home to The first core area uses clusters of networked
the Institute of Chemistry, Institute of Computer computers, which researchers can use to implement
Science, Institute of Statistics, and the Institute of high-performance parallel and distributed computing to
Mathematical Sciences and Physics. solve highly complicated problems. Without the right
tools and expertise, solving these problems can take
Though teaching very different disciplines, these weeks and even months.
institutions have found common ground in their
pursuit of knowledge. Building on their individual Another core area focuses on machine vision,
strengths and expertise, these academic units image-processing, and video-processing which was
envisioned an interdisciplinary studies laboratory demonstrated during the SyenSaya 2014.
which could facilitate information free flow,
collaboration and networking where students with Back then, CINTERLabs showcased a 3D avatar-
an ongoing thesis based virtual
could team up with environment of
a researcher from These institutions have the UPLB campus.
another unit. Aside from its visual
found common ground elements, participants
For example, a experienced walking
biology student in their pursuit of through the campus
working closely with and even interacting
a computer science knowledge. with each other’s
major. avatars. It was straight
out of the digital transformation handbook.
Thus, the idea of the Computational Interdisciplinary
Research Laboratories (CINTERLabs) was born. The The third core area is cloud computing which is vital
management structure and operational details were for access and management of large chunks of data.
formed through a series of brainstorming sessions Meanwhile, combination of algorithms and heuristics,
which resulted to a number of research opportunities. another core area of artificial intelligence can help
solve complicated optimization problems. Computer

PHOTO BY AS PALMA

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30 RDE DIGEST RDE DIGEST 31
 even hear sounds like people walking up and down their magic. Everything flowed naturally, from
the staircase.” communication, to brainstorming, to actual research
and implementation.
Currently, CINTERLabs is also busy with various
projects that can contribute to fields such as health, More than being part of a formal committee, these
ecotourism, and animal science. individuals have learned how to channel their curiosity
and inquisitiveness into actual problem-solving.
One could potentially lead to a better understanding
of mosquitoes’ feeding behavior and can provide They did not let their respective disciplines hinder
solutions to the country’s current dengue problem. what they can accomplish as a team. Indeed, they are
a great example of what an interdisciplinary studies
Computational research in ecotourism can also give center is.
much needed data on modeling and carrying capacity
of certain destinations. At the CINTERLabs, the researcher you just casually
talked to this morning could very well be your future
In agriculture, partner in discovering
there are also more a new solution for a
opportunities for
animal breeders
They did not let their problem.

to have easier
access to resources
respective disciplines You could just be
brainstorming with
▲CINTERLabs has a number of facilities where the members of the center can
regularly collaborate. PHOTO BY AS PALMA
for artificial
insemination. With
hinder what they can your labmates today,
and spearheading the

modeling and simulation, the last core area, along with It was then that researchers realized that the majority
computational
research, they are
accomplish as a team. next big scientific
discovery a few years
computer graphics and scientific data visualization, is of the cultural elements had not been recorded and informed of the from now.
useful for creating real or proposed models based on thus Digital Laguna was conceived to map cultural best time and conditions for conducting breeding
algorithms. heritage so that they may be preserved in the event of so that they can maximize their business. Having Undoubtedly, CINTERLabs has shown us what
natural disasters. already conducted this project for carabaos and pigs, different disciplines can achieve when they let down
These core areas have various applications across CINTERLabs is now developing a similar system for their walls. ■
a range of subdisciplines of arts, natural and Specifically, Digital Laguna aims to “preserve” the breeding of other ruminants.
social sciences including computational physics, Rizal Shrine by using visual information to simulate
materials science, experience. Collaboration breeds innovation
ecoinformatics, IT
support for biodiversity
research, social CINTERLabs is ready This means creating
fully-detailed
What CINTERLabs is now, has been a truly been an
impressive achievement. This group’s uniqueness lies
CONTRIBUTE TO THE RDE DIGEST

sciences computing,
computer animation, to dive into unknown 3D Web View
of Rizal Shrine
in its strong foundation of a collaborative mindset. Do you want to tell stories of what it’s like being a part of
an interdisciplinary studies center?
educational game
development, and web territory and offer their similar to Google
Street View but
The men and women of CINTERLabs did not need
any formal and written appointments to start weaving
We accept stories year round.
Email us at ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.
and mobile application
development. expertise. is more advanced
since it includes
sound rendering
Currently, CINTERLabs is busy with a number of simulations. “Even if you are not in Laguna, you will
projects. The “Digital Laguna” is a digital mapping feel as if you were actually there, walking inside Rizal’s
project that brings together computational research Shrine and looking around,” Prof. Jade explains.
and social sciences.
“You can also learn more about the furniture and
Prof. Jaderick P. Pabico of the Institute of Computer accessories in the Shrine because the project aims
Science recalled that after the Bohol earthquake in for it to be interactive and educational. For example,
2013, a lot of heritage sites were ruined. when you click on a lamp, you will learn about its
history, materials, and other small details. You can
PHOTO BY AS PALMA

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 Back by popular demand, and to further help academic and research

Contribute!
personnel as we continue to push for publications. Researchers can
LIFE HACKS be lured by the promise of being published in distinguished journals or
being offered to speak in international conferences. Sadly, sometimes
they end up being duped and paying high rates.‘Publish or Perish’ has
been the phrase many have adhered to. But before submitting your
intellectual works, take a step back and consider the following tips to
avoid being a victim.

How to avoid predatory ANALYSIS

An expert’s opinion or view on a pressing issue.

JOURNALS & CONFERENCES What topic do you want to read about?

Whose opinion do you want to read?
STORIES FROM THE FIELD
INSPECT THE EMAIL/COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Tell us about your experiences during fieldwork.
What UPLB technology do you want to be Share your funny, exciting, or even dangerous
The email should be formal and well written. The invitation’s contents should be detailed experiences.
featured?
The journal asking for submissions should be and clear. The conference’s theme should also
related to your field. be related to your field.
SUCCESS STORY RESEARCH/EXTENSION UPDATES
Generally, submissions should not be rushed The email should focus more on the academic Do you know someone who started out small? What research project or extension program do
since legitimate publishers and journals ensure value of the conference, and not the location Do you know an adaptor of a UPLB technology you want to read about? Are there or any new
that articles undergo peer review. where it will be held. who found his or her way to success? breakthroughs from your unit?
Tell us about it!
VISIT THE WEBSITE PERSONALITY PROFILE
HISTORICAL FEATURE Write about a UPLB alumni, professor, researcher,
Are the editors known? Inspect their credentials Does the site use proper technical terms? or extensionist. What inspires them to be the best?
Tell us the background story behind a UPLB
and try to contact them to see if they are Is it updated on the current themes in your
actually affiliated with the journal. field? Investigate and check the credentials institute or product.
of the invited speakers. LIFE HACKS
For open access journals, are payment Share some life hacks or innovative ways to
guidelines clear on the website? Is there a For annual conferences, there should be accomplish something--with the help of UPLB
statement regarding author fees? reports on the previous ones. Read up and technologies, of course.

Contact details should also be available.

see if they are of quality. Contact details
should also be on the site.
We accept stories year round!
Email us at ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.
DIG DEEPER
PHOTO FROM UNSPLASH
Are the articles in the journals legitimate? Find out if the organizers and partners are
Predatory publishers usually do not care appropriate for the conference. The
about the quality of submitted works. The conference’s themes and goals should be
scope of the journal should be specific clear and specific. UPLBRandE
instead of vague or too big.
Ask your colleagues if they know or have
Ask your colleagues if they recognize the previously attended the conference.
journal.
UPLBResearch
CONSULT WITH OTHER SOURCES
You can check Jeffrey Beall’s archived Is the conference listed in a source that UPLBRandE
blacklist of predatory journals and you trust? Check around online and see
publishers, as well as whitelists such as what other researchers are saying about
Cabell’s directory, the Directory of Open the legitimacy of the conference.
Access Journals, or sites that you trust. UPLBRESEARCH
Prepared by: Adrianne G. San Miguel | Sources: thinkchecksubmit.org, authoraid.info, and apa.org

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